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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2774, 4 January 1878, Page 2

The news conveyed in our calogranis today is important, not to say alarming. From Melbourne we hear that war between England and Russia is considered imminent, and there must be very good foundation for the feeling which prevails, or the matter would not have been treated so seriously as to hare formed the subject for consideration at a Cabinet Council, at the deliberations ot which the Commander in Chief of the hind forces of the Colony and the Captain of the Cerberus iron clad assisted. This jjhw.s is in v. measure confirmed by

a message from Jjondon of Wedncs- » day's ilatf, wliich tinmistnlccnbly indicates an altered fooling in Ihc British Cabinet. Formrrly it liih been stated and reiterated thai Kti^lnnd'.s policy was decidedly neutral—a policy of non-inter-vention. The reply of Lord Carnarvou, Secretary of State for the Colonies, to a deputation is significant. He lias said that England is determined to have a voice in tho settlement of the Eastern i question. This is what lias all along been expected; and that England would not only huvc ti voice, but have to draw tho sword before tho Eastern question was settled, is what many havu feared. That there is a difference of opinion in tho Ih'itish Cabinet on tho Eastern question is notorious. The Earl of Beaeonsficld is known to have warlike proclivities—at least anti-liussinn feelings, und, if some of the homo papers are to bo believed, the Premier would have taken a more decided attitude long ago had he not been restrained by some of his colleagues. War between England and Russia will be a dreadful struggle, but no one can believe that it will be limited to those two great Powers and Jiussia's present and hereditary foe, the Porte. Other European nations are bound to be involved, and Austria will bo probably ono of the first to side with England, as her interests would bo threatened by Russia's success and tho dismemberment of Turkey. .Besides tho ominous items in to-day's news, however, many recent events have pointed to the strong probability of England being soon engaged in hostilities, which would not be directed against Turkey. The order from the Admiralty for the fleet to be ready for sea meant something, and in a few days wo may hear that, although piofessing a peace policy, the government of which Earl Beaconsfield is the head have not neglected to bo prepared for war. Like tho purchase of the large interest in tho Suez Canal, which was accomplished so quietly, the rumored acquirement of the Turkish fleet and the assumption of a suzerainty in Egypt may turn out to bo accomplished facts, not mere canards.